911 Problems

Police Log - Roundup

October 8, 2000

Unnecessary calls from cellular phone users to emergency services are on the rise in Seminole County.

Alan Harris, spokesman for the Altamonte Springs Fire Department, said the city recently gathered information from Nextel that reported 599 erroneous calls made by cell phone users to 911 in Seminole County as of Sept. 15.

Most cell phones automatically dial 911 when the "9" button is pressed and held. Harris said problems arise when people accidentally trigger the 911 button.

Harris said the city would contact other providers by the end of the year to compile more statistics.